Comparative Study of the Concept of Narrator's Accuracy and Its Impact on the Validation of Hadith Documents from the Perspective of the Hadith Scholars of Both Sunni and Shia

Abstract

The accuracy of a narrator and the concept of his memorization have a specific semantic convergence in the discourse of Hadith scholars and narratologists. These are among the most important conditions for validating the accuracy of Hadith narrators. The researcher, using library sources and an analytical-comparative method, has reached several results and findings in the field of pathologies of factors affecting the narrator’s accuracy. These factors include: frequent errors of the narrator, the contradiction of the narrator’s reports with those of other narrators, poor memorization, serious negligence, gross mistakes, and careless editing and correction of Hadith texts. Another finding is that both Shia and Sunni scholars agree that a narrator’s memorization is a confirmation of the authenticity of his reports, to the extent that his narrations can be trusted. This is evidence that the described characteristic holds a special position in the science of Jarh and Ta'dil (evaluation of narrators). An important additional result is the comparison of methods for determining a narrator's accuracy. For instance, Sunni narratologists have focused on comparing the narrator's reports with those of reliable narrators, a method known as "ta'dil". In contrast, Shia narratologists have employed methods such as using the term "thiqah" (reliable) instead of "adl" (just), comparing the narrator’s reports with those of individuals who are known to be precise in memorization, and specifying that a narrator is known for his meticulousness, as part of their practical methods for uncovering the accuracy of a narrator.